tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8049762578687406822018-02-15T21:52:43.593-08:00Faith, Family, and DIY"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." ~Philippians 4:6Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-44854977329162899852017-06-20T15:30:00.000-07:002017-06-20T15:48:29.739-07:00Before FIAR Story Map & Story Discs<div data-contents="true"><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="751t5" data-offset-key="30p02-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="30p02-0-0"><span data-offset-key="30p02-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="751t5" data-offset-key="7p08k-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7p08k-0-0"></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7p08k-0-0"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjEvLkE0tG0/WUml89l4OUI/AAAAAAAADL8/mmJgP2n-nDUGOW5dKNtDZubptkJ5iIGIQCLcBGAs/s1600/B4FIAR%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjEvLkE0tG0/WUml89l4OUI/AAAAAAAADL8/mmJgP2n-nDUGOW5dKNtDZubptkJ5iIGIQCLcBGAs/s320/B4FIAR%2BCollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span data-offset-key="7p08k-0-0"><span data-text="true"><b><span style="font-size: large;">If you’re interested in using a Story Map for Before Five in a Row and Story Discs, you've come to the right place!</span></b>&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7p08k-0-0"></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7p08k-0-0"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8VFqiyenXeg/WUmfggmhL1I/AAAAAAAADLc/fOl6qMU1cqQtSRazC-tMi0-PA1UXnY-YwCLcBGAs/s1600/Before%2BFIAR%2BMap%2Bfor%2BStory%2BDiscs%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8VFqiyenXeg/WUmfggmhL1I/AAAAAAAADLc/fOl6qMU1cqQtSRazC-tMi0-PA1UXnY-YwCLcBGAs/s320/Before%2BFIAR%2BMap%2Bfor%2BStory%2BDiscs%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><span data-offset-key="7p08k-0-0"><span data-text="true">I can't wait to do this once we start volume 1, but since we aren't there yet I knew I wanted some kind of soft start to geography, map reading, and even determining the setting of a story. Using the clues in the text and pictures you and your child can determine the best place to put your story discs on the Story Map.&nbsp;</span></span><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7p08k-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7p08k-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QVjkGk67-I/WUmfsD_gDfI/AAAAAAAADLo/AJfFpwlBRSYvL8Dlt1yRiAjtcwWRyi47wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Story%2BDiscs%2B1%2Bcolor%2Bversion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QVjkGk67-I/WUmfsD_gDfI/AAAAAAAADLo/AJfFpwlBRSYvL8Dlt1yRiAjtcwWRyi47wCEwYBhgL/s320/Story%2BDiscs%2B1%2Bcolor%2Bversion.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br /><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7p08k-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7p08k-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="751t5" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b><span data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><span data-text="true">There are a few options in going about printing your map:&nbsp;</span></span></b></u></span><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b><span data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></b></u></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><span data-text="true">1. <u><b>Print it as an engineering print</b></u>. You can print color or black and white, HOWEVER, Staples may or may not do it in color (I was denied at 2 different ones, but others I know had no problem at all - it’s worth a try if they will as it’s only about $3 for a 18”x24”).&nbsp;</span></span><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><span data-text="true">2. <u><b>Print as a poster print</b></u> for about $15 at Staples or another office store in matte or semi-gloss.&nbsp;</span></span><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><span data-text="true">3. <u><b>The cheapest option is to print yourself spread over 6-8 sheets of paper</b></u>, cut and tape it together, then just get it laminated for $1-2 depending on size. This is what I did and you can barely see the lines! (Instructions to do it this way will be below the link for the PDF file you will need to use. Use the Jpeg image for sending off to get a print from a printing company or poster sized prints from Staples.)&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAI8vHWli8s/WUmfugl1-bI/AAAAAAAADLw/WYVMoZ2YIwE5ym7ZWYxggPzmoAlSpc5rgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Story%2BDiscs%2B1%2BBlack%2B%2526%2BWhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAI8vHWli8s/WUmfugl1-bI/AAAAAAAADLw/WYVMoZ2YIwE5ym7ZWYxggPzmoAlSpc5rgCEwYBhgL/s320/Story%2BDiscs%2B1%2BBlack%2B%2526%2BWhite.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><br /><span data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dropbox links to download each file for FREE!! - -&nbsp; </b></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c9si-0-0"></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="751t5" data-offset-key="cferj-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cferj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cferj-0-0"><span data-text="true"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><br /><span data-offset-key="cferj-0-0"><span data-text="true"><b>Before FIAR Story MAP (jpeg):</b>&nbsp;</span></span><span data-offset-key="cferj-0-0"><span data-text="true"> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_455004723"> </a></span></span><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/als8f0ekk9f91tq/Before%20FIAR%20Map%20for%20Story%20Discs%203.jpg?dl=0"><span class="_2ou" data-offset-key="cferj-1-0" spellcheck="false"><span data-offset-key="cferj-1-0"><span data-text="true">https://www.dropbox.com/s/als8f0ekk9f91tq/Before%20FIAR%20Map%20for%20Story%20Discs%203.jpg?dl=0</span></span></span></a><span class="_2ou" data-offset-key="cferj-1-0" spellcheck="false"><span data-offset-key="cferj-1-0"><span data-text="true"></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cferj-0-0"></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="751t5" data-offset-key="d9m5v-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d9m5v-0-0"><br /><span data-offset-key="d9m5v-0-0"><span data-text="true"><b>Before FIAR Story Map (PDF):</b> </span></span><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/i95lmxtdsml0vdz/Story%20Map%20PDF%201.pdf?dl=0"><span class="_2ou" data-offset-key="d9m5v-1-0" spellcheck="false"><span data-offset-key="d9m5v-1-0"><span data-text="true">https://www.dropbox.com/s/i95lmxtdsml0vdz/Story%20Map%20PDF%201.pdf?dl=0</span></span></span></a></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d9m5v-0-0"></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="751t5" data-offset-key="dkb4m-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dkb4m-0-0"><br /><span data-offset-key="dkb4m-0-0"><span data-text="true">**To print this on several sheets of paper and cut and tape together you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader updated. These instructions are for that (I’m sure there are other ways, this is the only one that I’m familiar with though): Open the PDF file, go to file and then down to print. Click poster, change the title scale to 225% and keep the overlap at 0.005 in. Check off the box that says ‘cut marks’ just to update and see the changes, and then uncheck the cut marks box (you will need to do this if you make any other additional changes). Make sure the orientation is in portrait mode and then print! These ratios are for about 18 x 23.5” and a really great sized map that fits all the story discs nicely! You can of course play around with the title scale ratio to see different sizes as well. Then just laminate! Cheap option and works great!&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dkb4m-0-0"></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="751t5" data-offset-key="fjeoo-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fjeoo-0-0"><span data-offset-key="fjeoo-0-0"><span data-text="true"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><br /><span data-offset-key="fjeoo-0-0"><span data-text="true"><b>Before FIAR COLOR story Discs</b>: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_455004727"> </a></span></span><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/aqwrgy5gx76b70x/Story%20Discs%20Color.pdf?dl=0"><span class="_2ou" data-offset-key="fjeoo-1-0" spellcheck="false"><span data-offset-key="fjeoo-1-0"><span data-text="true">https://www.dropbox.com/s/aqwrgy5gx76b70x/Story%20Discs%20Color.pdf?dl=0</span></span></span></a></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fjeoo-0-0"></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="751t5" data-offset-key="2idpo-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2idpo-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2idpo-0-0"><span data-text="true"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><br /><span data-offset-key="2idpo-0-0"><span data-text="true"><b>Before FIAR BW Story Discs:</b> </span></span><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/sok8vf8ddlup7hy/Story%20Discs%20Black%20%26%20White.pdf?dl=0"><span class="_2ou" data-offset-key="2idpo-1-0" spellcheck="false"><span data-offset-key="2idpo-1-0"><span data-text="true">https://www.dropbox.com/s/sok8vf8ddlup7hy/Story%20Discs%20Black%20%26%20White.pdf?dl=0</span></span></span></a></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2idpo-0-0"></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2idpo-0-0"><br /><br /><span class="_2ou" data-offset-key="2idpo-1-0" spellcheck="false"><span data-offset-key="2idpo-1-0"><span data-text="true">&nbsp;Once you have all this printed, consider laminating the discs and map. Then you can use either sticky putty or velcro dots to adhere to your map.<br /></span></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="_2ou" data-offset-key="2idpo-1-0" spellcheck="false"><span data-offset-key="2idpo-1-0"><span data-text="true"></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2idpo-0-0"><span class="_2ou" data-offset-key="2idpo-1-0" spellcheck="false"><span data-offset-key="2idpo-1-0"><span data-text="true">&nbsp;</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="2idpo-2-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div></div><div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="751t5" data-offset-key="8s1pp-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8s1pp-0-0"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span data-offset-key="8s1pp-0-0"><span data-text="true">Enjoy!! </span></span></span></b></div></div></div>Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-52999793976532943332014-03-20T20:27:00.002-07:002014-03-20T20:27:20.097-07:00My 5 Fat Files I was reading one of my books by Elizabeth George (either <i>A Woman After God's Own Heart</i>, or <i>A Woman's High Calling</i> - can't remember which one), and she noted a really interested idea.<br /><br /><b>The idea was to create 5 fat files on topics you want to study</b> by using the bible - God's word, through prayer, church, sermons, podcasts, books...or whatever. You basically try to learn and study everything you can on these 5 topics so that you almost become an expert in these areas with enough information to fill a book! <br /><br />So I decided to pray about what my 5 fat files would be, and this is what I'm come up with so far:<br /><br />1. Being a Godly Woman, Wife, and Mother<br />2. Parenting and Raising Godly Children<br />3. Healing &amp; Faith<br />4. Anxiety<br />5. ??? TBD...<br /><br /><i>It's interesting how much more fascinating your quiet time digging into God's word can be when you are able to focus in with a purpose, instead of just reading to read.&nbsp;</i><br /><br />I feel like so often I hear people talk about their reading plan so that they can read the bible in a year, and yet we forget that we really should be <i>studying </i>God's word, not just reading it. It's so much more fulfilling, and almost as if a whole other world is being opened to us when you truly seek after Him with our whole hearts.&nbsp;<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.</i><span class="p"><i>" ~James 1:5</i></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>So, what would you want your 5 fat files to be? </b></i></div><br />Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-66305001832712449732014-03-20T20:05:00.003-07:002014-03-20T20:29:16.743-07:00Gluten Free Blueberry Crumb Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_XZQdBChLm4/UwJ6OQORp2I/AAAAAAAAAjA/ZoNoYOFhTe0/s1600/2+month+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_XZQdBChLm4/UwJ6OQORp2I/AAAAAAAAAjA/ZoNoYOFhTe0/s1600/2+month+002.JPG" height="338" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />One of the biggest things that bummed me out about eating gluten free was not being able to bake my favorite recipes anymore. You hear so many horror stories of baking gluten free, from the texture being 'off' or it just plain tasting bad. There are gluten free flour blends on the market that some people swear by, but even they don't always give the best results.<br /><br />Until now, that is...<br /><br />I have discovered the amazing GF flour blend - <u><b>Cup 4 Cup Gluten Free Flour</b></u>! <i>No, I have not been asked to promote this, nor am I getting paid</i>. I am just so over the moon about this flour that I've been practically shouting it from the rooftops! You literally do just what the the title says - you substitute cup for cup in your recipes when it calls for flour. Let me tell you though, that this is the ONLY GF flour blend that I have found that <u>makes your baked goods taste exactly like the version with real flour</u>. Some of my favorite recipes I use it for is Banana Bread, the Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe (yum!), pancakes, and now this divine Blueberry Crumb Muffin. It's not available everywhere, however. If you have a Wegmans that is local, they carry it, but otherwise you would need to check their website (<a href="http://www.cup4cup.com/where-to-buy/" target="_blank">here</a>) to see what other local places have it. And of course you can always order online through Amazon. <br /><br /><b>So without further ado...so you can enjoy this little piece of heaven, here goes! </b><br /><br />This Blueberry Crumb Muffin recipe has been taken from Allrecipies.com, <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/To-Die-For-Blueberry-Muffins/Detail.aspx?event8=1&amp;prop24=SR_Thumb&amp;e11=blueberry%20muffins&amp;e8=Quick%20Search&amp;event10=1&amp;e7=Home%20Page&amp;soid=sr_results_p1i1" target="_blank">here</a>, and has been altered to be gluten free, as well as a slight change to the topping similar to how my Mom makes hers for Apple Crisp. Yum!<br /><br /><u><b>Gluten Free Blueberry Crumb Muffins</b></u><br /><br /><b>Ingredients:</b><br /><br />1 1/2 Cups of Cup 4 Cup Gluten Free Flour blend <br />3/4 cup granulated sugar<br />1/2 tsp salt<br />1 egg beaten <br />2 tsp baking powder<br />1/3 cup canola oil (or vegetable) <br />1/2 cup milk (approx - see instructions below)<br />1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen. If frozen, make sure to thaw first and drain any blueberry juice)<br /><br /><b>Topping Ingredients:</b><br /><br />1/4 cup brown sugar<br />1 Tbsp butter softened<br />dash cinnamon<br />1/2 cup GF old fashioned oats -<br /><br /><b>Directions:</b><br /><br />~Preheat oven to 400 degrees<br />~Line 12 cup muffin pan with muffin liners and spray the top of the muffin pan to reduce sticking if the muffins spill over at all<br />~Combine 1 1/2 cup GF flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tsp baking powder in a mixing bowl<br />~Place 1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the 1 cup measuring cup. Fill an additional 1/4 cup milk and mix all into the dry ingredient mixture (do NOT overmix!) - and it's ok that the batter is super thick.<br />~Fold in the 1 cup of blueberries and fill the muffin cups evenly with the muffin batter - about 2/3 full.<br />~Mix together the topping ingredients, using a fork and/or fingers, and sprinkle over the muffin batter in the cups - use a good amount to cover the top - but not too much, as this could cause it to sink in the middle (3/4 of this mixture is about how much I use, so you could cut down on the amount on top of each one to avoid it spilling over) <br />~Bake for between 15 and 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Times may vary depending on oven, so make sure to check. <br /><br /><b>And enjoy! Super easy and super yummy!!! </b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>What is your favorite GF baked good?</b></i></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1qHubWtNkQ/UwJ6OVQPngI/AAAAAAAAAi8/jwVCnySDDYk/s1600/2+month+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1qHubWtNkQ/UwJ6OVQPngI/AAAAAAAAAi8/jwVCnySDDYk/s1600/2+month+001.JPG" height="355" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-17692217714223261162014-02-14T21:35:00.001-08:002014-02-14T21:36:33.325-08:00DIY Touch and Feel Photo Book for Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8lgQGf_hR0/Uv76aMD4jmI/AAAAAAAAAiw/bTecHLpNVHU/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8lgQGf_hR0/Uv76aMD4jmI/AAAAAAAAAiw/bTecHLpNVHU/s1600/021.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;My son loves touch and feel books, almost as much as he loves photo books of his family. I knew I had to create a touch and feel photo book especially tailored just for him, and there had to be DIY instructions out there. Well I found a bunch, and probably by way of mish-mash, just kind of fashioned one up.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>So let me tell you how <u>YOU</u> can make one for your little one!&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>First you need to gather your materials:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TppOBvUA5RU/Uv76ZtC4iPI/AAAAAAAAAio/-h-cen7uSaY/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TppOBvUA5RU/Uv76ZtC4iPI/AAAAAAAAAio/-h-cen7uSaY/s1600/020.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">*Photos</div><div style="text-align: left;">*Cardstock (computer paper or construction paper may work fine too)</div><div style="text-align: left;">*Scissors</div><div style="text-align: left;">*scotch tape</div><div style="text-align: left;">*exacto knife and an old magazine to cut on </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W86YpETtSHY/Uv76YlYCBcI/AAAAAAAAAig/wwWOcOeUkSU/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W86YpETtSHY/Uv76YlYCBcI/AAAAAAAAAig/wwWOcOeUkSU/s1600/019.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>*duct tape (don't use metal tape like I did above! I had to redo one of my books because the pages eventually tore and then cut my son! I thought it was just shiny tape and he would love it...but not, it was metal tape. Sheesh. So yes, use duct tape, it works best and is the strongest for the job. Plus you can get real creative with all the different colors and designs out there.)</div><br />*Touch and feel materials - use whatever you have laying around your house: old sock, plastic bag, tin foil, saran wrap, wrapping paper, curling ribbon, sandpaper, felt, fabric, old stocking, ribbon, cotton balls....etc. <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Steps:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. <u><b>Cut your cardstock paper</b></u>. You will need to cut these slightly larger than the photo size that you have. I had 4x6" photos printed at the one-hour photo and just cut the paper maybe 3/4" larger on each side (roughly pieces that were 5.5"x7.5")</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zMVy8nirOkw/Uv76Xt23bFI/AAAAAAAAAic/RI7dXJjpRy8/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zMVy8nirOkw/Uv76Xt23bFI/AAAAAAAAAic/RI7dXJjpRy8/s1600/006.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2. <u><b>Cut the photos.</b></u> Take your exacto knife and start cutting on your photos where you want to put your different materials. Cut out little blocks, squares, whatever, making sure to cut on top of an old magazine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9M8NqSg7SDQ/Uv70vXnsH6I/AAAAAAAAAh0/uB1XEGarYWY/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9M8NqSg7SDQ/Uv70vXnsH6I/AAAAAAAAAh0/uB1XEGarYWY/s1600/collage.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3. <u><b>Tape the material to the back of the photo</b></u>. Make sure the material is facing the correct way, and then tape the material using scotch tape (or duct tape if it's difficult to do with scotch) just to keep the piece in place.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4. <u><b>Place a couple piece of scotch tape to the back of the photo</b></u> and put in the center of your cardstock. The scotch just keeps it in place until you can duct tape it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">5. <u><b>Flip the cardstock over and do the same</b></u> with another picture on the other side.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">6. <u><b>Duct Tape the edges</b></u>. Your duct tape is likely around 2" in width. You want to cut off a strip (doesn't need to be exact measurement) and start taping around one edge of the photo, then wrapping the excess duct tape around to the other side taping the edge of the 2nd photo on the other side. One piece of tape should be taping TWO edges of TWO different photos to each side of the cardstock. You will need to repeat this step around the other 3 edges.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_g4fBW_j3g/Uv76WjqNTBI/AAAAAAAAAiM/JCpeHy5nxgc/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_g4fBW_j3g/Uv76WjqNTBI/AAAAAAAAAiM/JCpeHy5nxgc/s1600/007.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">7. <u><b>Repeat steps 2-6</b></u> for all of your pages.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">8. <u><b>Assemble your book</b></u>. Once you have all of your pages, put them in the order that you want. Then open to the first 2 pages side by side, leaving a tiny gap between them, and put a strip of duct tape holding those two pages together - allowing that little gap to be there (this will make it possible for the book to close. If the pages are touching when you tape them together, you may have difficulty opening and closing the book). Do this to all the pages. Once you have each page taped to the next, close the book and place one last piece of duct tape along the edge to provide as the binding for the book.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy_QW7rGVDg/Uv76W4stB8I/AAAAAAAAAiU/1apvs1JDD9A/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy_QW7rGVDg/Uv76W4stB8I/AAAAAAAAAiU/1apvs1JDD9A/s1600/008.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And that's it - you're all done!!&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can adapt these steps however you need to! Don't worry about making it perfect, mine certainly isn't. My book is nowhere near perfect or pretty, but my son <b>ADORES </b>this book and lights up every time he sees and plays with it. Kids love to see pictures of themselves, other babies, animals, and the family that they know.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>So tell me, what unique ideas have you seen or created for your kids that they enjoy?</b></i></div><br /><br /><br />Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-88991147812612191902014-02-14T20:59:00.002-08:002014-02-14T20:59:57.410-08:00Happy Valentine's Day!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1N51D30pQrA/Uv7zlf8BbMI/AAAAAAAAAho/J1J97yC-FxQ/s1600/Valentines+Day+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1N51D30pQrA/Uv7zlf8BbMI/AAAAAAAAAho/J1J97yC-FxQ/s1600/Valentines+Day+2014.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I am so blessed, it takes my breath away.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you Lord for my amazing husband, father, and best friend.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You have blessed me beyond belief and I treasure every moment with this man you have created just for me.</div><br /><br />Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-56046255857084699162014-02-14T20:52:00.002-08:002014-02-14T21:48:13.012-08:00Rustic Nautical Corner Cabinet Re-Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuNNZ0QB-K4/Uv7u900OivI/AAAAAAAAAhc/q3VeoRe7QKk/s1600/corner+cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuNNZ0QB-K4/Uv7u900OivI/AAAAAAAAAhc/q3VeoRe7QKk/s1600/corner+cabinet.jpg" height="383" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">You should have seen this corner cabinet when I got it. Y.U.C.K.Y! But of course you can't see it because once again I forgot to take the before picture. *sigh*&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But alas, you can imagine it!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Think...knotty orange pine, broken decorative top, gross dirt build-up everywhere...and get this....BIRD POOP. Yes, bird poop was so nicely laden all over this cabinet. How that happens? Beyond me...I have no clue. But after a nice tough cleaning and scrubbing and a coat of shellac to seal it, we were on our way to achieve my vision for it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted this rustic corner cabinet to have a nautical theme - all centered around these amazing knobs. Though I knew white sells better, I really wanted to mix my Annie Sloan paints to get this awesome navy blue to match the compass rose painted knobs. In fact those knobs were the biggest investment of the whole project!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a few coats of the navy and white were in place, I clear waxed and followed it with the dark wax - which came out much better than I expected.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I really love the outcome of this one! The picture doesn't do it justice, but I'm really excited to see if she sells! (If not...I would be ok keeping her too!!)<br /><br /><b>So...what are <i>you </i>working on this week? </b><br /><br /><i>(This post is linked up on www.craftsalamode.com and missmustardseed.com)</i></div><br />Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-63832487253988348162013-11-15T14:51:00.004-08:002013-11-15T14:57:04.913-08:00DIY Sensory Board for Baby<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-avcg_hlgJFU/Uoaki7dREvI/AAAAAAAAAfg/zTcGRrbYKVE/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-avcg_hlgJFU/Uoaki7dREvI/AAAAAAAAAfg/zTcGRrbYKVE/s400/collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My 10 month old son is such a boy. He's obsessed with hardware, shiny things, buttons he can push, toys he can spin, remotes, and cell phones. <i>Basically if he can't have it, he wants it</i>. And if he gets it, without fail it will make its way into his mouth. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cue: <u><b>Sensory Boards.</b></u> All about discovery!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Except, I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for someone to make me a sensory board that is likely to be both small, and not personalized to my son's tastes. And... well, if you have a handy husband like I do, then all you have to do is oversee the operation and it's a win win! Hubby gets to play with tools, you design, and your child LOVES their new toy!! But if someone in your family isn't all that handy, rest easy because this is so easy YOU can do it! You just may be using hot glue or a stapler instead of nails! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So first things first. You have to <b>gather your materials</b>. Best place to do this is the <b>DOLLAR STORE </b>and a <b>hardware store</b> like Lowes or Home Depot. Or, just look around your house - you'd be surprised the kinds of things you can gather and put on the board that would be fun for your child! Think of <u>things that the child can move, spin, push, pull, or play with.</u> Then add some <u>texture pieces</u> such as: fur, sandpaper, leather, fabric, tin foil...etc. The only limit to materials is your own mind! For the board, we found that an <b>MDF board</b> works best for us. I liked that I didn't have to worry about splinters or having to paint a wooden board. But basically, whatever you have on hand will likely work. Just make sure to cut holes in the board for anything that may require batteries so that you can easily replace them if you need to. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now arrange them on your board, making sure to think through where each piece should go that makes sense for your child. <i>Meaning, don't put a mirror on the bottom of your board!</i> <b>Use nails, a staple gun, hot glue, or crazy glue</b> to adhere all of the objects. Then <b>clean all the objects</b> to ensure safety for when (and yes I mean <u>when</u>) your child decides to taste the mirror or door hinge. Check to ensure all is safe, no loose or small pieces that could come apart - and you are good to go! Make sure that wherever you place the board is a safe place. Nail it to a wall, <b>secure it to a wall</b> somehow, <b>or lay it on the ground</b>. You don't want that thing to topple on your child!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And lastly - <b>HAVE FUN!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The expression on my son's face was absolutely priceless. I have <b>NEVER </b>seen him so excited since he's been born!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Shared on the following linky parties: www.craftsalamode.com) </div><br />Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-90695185465945780892013-10-24T20:45:00.003-07:002013-10-24T20:45:45.463-07:00DIY Healthy & Simple Fruit Roll-Ups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b>Who doesn't love fruit roll-ups? </b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEa42bec9Ao/Umncdz5BAmI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/TmyuJ3RIT2g/s1600/aIMG_7815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEa42bec9Ao/Umncdz5BAmI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/TmyuJ3RIT2g/s400/aIMG_7815.jpg" width="400" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are good for just about anyone, any age. <b>Great for school lunches, or lunches for your spouse</b>. Not only are they delicious, satisfying that sweet tooth, but they are also <i><u><b>HEALTHY</b></u></i>!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Recently I decided to attempt my hand at creating these fruit roll-ups. My son, as well as a friend of mine, her son, have many food allergies and she recently had to go on the <i>Total Elimination Diet</i> where the only fruit she could eat were pears. So, in hopes of finding some different and creative ways to give her another snack, I decided to make pear fruit roll-ups. But I can't wait to try other fruits and veggie combinations! So for the sake of this tutorial - this is based on the pear Fruit Roll-ups, but feel free to sub any fruit you would like.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>So without further Ado...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b>Step 1:</b></u> Preheat your oven to 170 degrees (<i>the lowest it will likely go)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b>Step 2:</b></u> Gather your fruit and/or veggies, whatever you choose - canned, fresh, frozen, whatever. Puree in either food processor or blender until you get it to a sort of applesauce, or even chunky applesauce (<i>depending on your preference</i>) consistency.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b>Step 3: </b></u>Add sweetener (<i>optional!</i>). I like to use organic sugar, but you can use regular sugar, honey, stevia, agave nectar, pretty much anything, and use as much as you would like. For the large can of pears, I added about 1 Tbsp of sugar (<i>I like sweet!</i>). I have also read that using the sweetener helps the roll-up to be the most pliable, but I'm really not sure about that. If you can go without the sugar, by all means, give it a whirl and come back and tell us how it went. Some people also like to use a little lemon juice, but again, I have not tried that to say whether it makes a difference in color, taste, or pliability.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b>Step 4:</b></u> Spread a thin layer on a piece of parchment paper placed on a baking sheet, or you can use silicone baking mats. If you have silicone mats - great! If not, parchment paper works just fine, but be prepared to have wrinkles due to the moisture in the mixture. Try to make the layer as even as possible, but maybe making the edges just a little thicker than the center as they tend to cook fastest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ5l9--tZM4/UmncTspWZ4I/AAAAAAAAAeU/R-G2FpIibmQ/s1600/IMG_7820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ5l9--tZM4/UmncTspWZ4I/AAAAAAAAAeU/R-G2FpIibmQ/s400/IMG_7820.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See how thin this layer is?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b>&nbsp;Step 5:</b></u> Place your baking sheets into the oven - but load them up and get as many as you can in there!&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4YzlUnx0MQY/UmncUElfsvI/AAAAAAAAAec/HyjVbXVWPA4/s320/IMG_7828.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They may cook differently depending on the baking sheet and where they are in the oven.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<u><b>Step 6:</b></u> Set your timer to check on them every hour. I found that mine took anywhere from 2 hours to 4 hours depending on how thin my layer was and where the baking sheet was in the oven. You will want to take it out when it is more tacky or 'bouncy', but not sticky. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-plylUWbKXSM/UmncXm9LFAI/AAAAAAAAAes/HfNYZXnOdcU/s320/a001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were in the oven for the same amount of time. See how different they look?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<u><b>Tip:</b></u> See the photo above? I have a dilemma now because the one on the right is overcooked and will be crispy and break off making it not roll-able. <b>But don't worry!</b> It can be fixed, and actually, I like the 'fixed' version better than the one on the left!! Lightly brush water over all the darkened parts, or over the whole thing, and place back in the oven for another minute or two until it is no longer wet. When you take it out it will be the perfect pliability for rolling! You may have to do this for the lighter colored ones as well - usually the edges get a bit crispy.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v1L1-5f5gbE/UmncW5fCKxI/AAAAAAAAAeo/mBfaCHrc9zw/s1600/a002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v1L1-5f5gbE/UmncW5fCKxI/AAAAAAAAAeo/mBfaCHrc9zw/s320/a002.jpg" width="320" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<u><b>Step 7:</b></u> After removing from the oven, flip the parchment paper over onto another piece of parchment paper and begin rubbing the back so that it loosens the roll-up, making sure to really focus on the edges. Start to peel the backing away leaving the roll-up.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rMdxjiRPymE/UmncazzFcAI/AAAAAAAAAe4/s6-z3xil_iM/s1600/a003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rMdxjiRPymE/UmncazzFcAI/AAAAAAAAAe4/s6-z3xil_iM/s320/a003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roll-up after the backing has been peeled away.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<u><b>Step 8:</b></u> Cut the roll-up into strips. I also like to trim all of the edges so that I get nice, neat, clean lines. </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5cn9i7LHiWU/UmncbNVvP5I/AAAAAAAAAe8/HusapdQiAxo/s1600/a008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5cn9i7LHiWU/UmncbNVvP5I/AAAAAAAAAe8/HusapdQiAxo/s320/a008.jpg" width="124" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<u><b>Step 9:</b></u> Cut a piece of parchment around the roll-up and begin to roll! You can fasten it with a twist tie or tape around the parchment to keep it together (<i>tape won't stick, so you will have to create a 'tab', or tape around itself</i>).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vRgpFMqpVIU/UmnccFd2_EI/AAAAAAAAAfI/Xqcdd6cK6d8/s1600/a009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vRgpFMqpVIU/UmnccFd2_EI/AAAAAAAAAfI/Xqcdd6cK6d8/s320/a009.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>&nbsp;Step 10:</b></u> Enjoy! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIrClrwvelo/UmncS0U9GRI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/gVlM2j4tKXM/s1600/IMG_7819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIrClrwvelo/UmncS0U9GRI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/gVlM2j4tKXM/s320/IMG_7819.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>&nbsp;So to summarize:</b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Preheat oven to 170 degrees, puree fruit and/or veggies, add sweetener or lemon juice, spread thin on parchment or silicone baking mats, take out of oven between 2 and 4 hours, flip parchment and rub to release roll-up, cut into strips and roll!&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are <u><b>ENDLESS</b></u> combinations that you can make! I'm most excited to try a strawberry combination of some kind. And, I'm interested to see what some of them would taste like if I threw carrot in there, or even some avocado (yum!). Get creative! This is a fantastic way to keep things healthy by getting some of those fruit and veggie servings to your family. They should store in an air-tight container in a cool, dark place, or in the refrigerator for several weeks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>What combination do you want to try? </b></u></div><br />Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-24385081016598899352013-10-11T17:41:00.002-07:002013-10-11T18:14:47.941-07:00Accent Table Re-do - Distressing with a Wet Cloth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvEkf8DazKU/UliYwnap7HI/AAAAAAAAAdU/VDrvTrs5xFs/s1600/IMG_7786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvEkf8DazKU/UliYwnap7HI/AAAAAAAAAdU/VDrvTrs5xFs/s400/IMG_7786.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;I am IN LOVE with this table! Of course, I was so excited that I forgot to take the before picture (again...*cough*), but that's ok! If you look at the top of the table, that was the entire table - but also with 2 broken legs. Thankfully my handy dandy hubby fixed the legs, and I set to work! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OL0bvvtyhto/UliYzYPBhBI/AAAAAAAAAdg/RJvogk-Ytrw/s1600/IMG_7792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OL0bvvtyhto/UliYzYPBhBI/AAAAAAAAAdg/RJvogk-Ytrw/s400/IMG_7792.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I used Annie Sloan Antibes Green Chalk Paint and mixed it with the Graphite Chalk Paint until I got this awesome deep green color.&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjvcXk6YTKk/UliYzOwfu5I/AAAAAAAAAdc/cfDzM-a41uI/s1600/IMG_7795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjvcXk6YTKk/UliYzOwfu5I/AAAAAAAAAdc/cfDzM-a41uI/s400/IMG_7795.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;After slathering on 2 coats of the green, right away, I began distressing the paint using a wet rag. I've heard of this method but didn't have much luck in the past. I found that the paint has to be really fresh, and preferably right after the last coat is applied. I distressed in the areas I wanted and was able to touch some if it back up if I took off too much paint. I couldn't believe how easy it was! You just wet the reg and start rubbing in the areas you want to distress. You have a lot of control this way, and the bonus - you don't ruin the furniture finish underneath. That is partially why I hate sand distressing. Sometimes the furniture is in excellent condition and I hate having to rough it up! This avoids that!&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbkDwzXBE_Y/UliYzkpIksI/AAAAAAAAAdk/fk2jZU92cJM/s1600/IMG_7798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbkDwzXBE_Y/UliYzkpIksI/AAAAAAAAAdk/fk2jZU92cJM/s400/IMG_7798.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me, knowing Jack about wood - thought the top was real wood. Apparently it's a laminate of some kind over-top some kind of board. The base is solid wood though - and either way, it's still beautiful. Something about Green and brown...I just love the two mixed together. I finished this piece by waxing with clear wax, waiting overnight, and then waxing with the dark and clear wax mixed and added a little mineral spirits to make it more workable. I'm still trying to figure out this whole wax thing, but I think I put enough that I was happy with on it.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What's your favorite way to distress?</b><br /><br />Currently linked at:<b> </b><a href="http://www.craftsalamode.com/">http://www.craftsalamode.com/</a>, <a href="http://missmustardseed.com/">http://missmustardseed.com</a>, <a href="http://www.myturnforus.com/">http://www.myturnforus.com/</a> and <a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/">http://www.remodelaholic.com</a> </div><br />Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-42348010892142410972013-09-28T21:36:00.004-07:002013-10-11T14:07:35.190-07:00My First Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Project! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LcxlnVb9fdM/Uker5NLI6xI/AAAAAAAAAcU/wO0Np8Y8S_o/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LcxlnVb9fdM/Uker5NLI6xI/AAAAAAAAAcU/wO0Np8Y8S_o/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am in LOVE with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! I tried so hard to make the DIY stuff work (with issues of grit and waxing), but I finally had a little money and some birthday money saved to splurge on a few cans of the AS paint, and boy am I glad I did! Not only is it fabulous...but it's so beautiful and the finish is amazing!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So without further ado...here is my first piece:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dAasNCPj0bA/Uker_OyOePI/AAAAAAAAAcc/y-EHNdzYp8g/s1600/IMG_7771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dAasNCPj0bA/Uker_OyOePI/AAAAAAAAAcc/y-EHNdzYp8g/s400/IMG_7771.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Vintage Country Cottage Style End Table/Accent table painted in French Linen and a mix of Pure White and Old White. I began by covering the entire piece in the french linen, and doing the drawer in the white mix. I then covered the table in the areas that I wanted with the white, and the drawer in the french linen.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z2LNayWpnPQ/Uker_GalBJI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Gw-aKMpoAew/s1600/IMG_7774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z2LNayWpnPQ/Uker_GalBJI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Gw-aKMpoAew/s400/IMG_7774.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I distressed (I'm getting better I think in being able to do it without having a mini heart attack. Though taking the sandpaper to the surface at first is very frightening!)...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdaXDfy4zwE/Uker_I7v5YI/AAAAAAAAAck/Ni-A2uFAt-E/s1600/IMG_7775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdaXDfy4zwE/Uker_I7v5YI/AAAAAAAAAck/Ni-A2uFAt-E/s400/IMG_7775.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And Distressed some more...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13SCgo6HTow/Uker_i2ENAI/AAAAAAAAAco/fe-8mkM-xYc/s1600/IMG_7776-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13SCgo6HTow/Uker_i2ENAI/AAAAAAAAAco/fe-8mkM-xYc/s400/IMG_7776-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">AJ put these awesome knobs I bought off Etsy for about a $1 a piece (steal of a deal!!). The details in the knobs are almost a deep purple/maroon shade - but they match so nicely with colors of the table.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h1vB_xrcLzE/UkesAd0XbxI/AAAAAAAAAc8/tj5vfc0Tva8/s1600/IMG_7776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h1vB_xrcLzE/UkesAd0XbxI/AAAAAAAAAc8/tj5vfc0Tva8/s400/IMG_7776.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the detail in the drawer - the way it's made to look like 4 small drawers, but only one.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-335nnDW1LTw/UkesAMm-SuI/AAAAAAAAAc0/4hCUk_cSGGU/s1600/IMG_7781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-335nnDW1LTw/UkesAMm-SuI/AAAAAAAAAc0/4hCUk_cSGGU/s400/IMG_7781.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Distressing the top was the hardest part...but I did it!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I finally finished by waxing - and that was NOT fun! The first coat of wax I did ended up blotchy and uneven in areas, no matter how hard I tried to get it to work out. I then sanded the top down lightly to get the wax to distribute more evenly, which helped. After that dried I added a second coat of wax which evened it out much better. The silky smoothness of this paint - whew! Just can't beat it!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm in love with this piece and so excited to start my next one!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Currently joined linky parties (for the first time - eek!) on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.craftsalamode.com/">http://www.craftsalamode.com/</a>, <a href="http://missmustardseed.com/">http://missmustardseed.com</a>, <a href="http://www.myturnforus.com/">http://www.myturnforus.com/</a> and <a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/">http://www.remodelaholic.com</a>&nbsp;</div><br />Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-57187626077784035632013-09-28T21:24:00.002-07:002013-09-28T21:24:42.533-07:00Refinished Children's Rocker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7q0FlJJH5YM/UkeqYQGNdjI/AAAAAAAAAcA/C8I34tiUq_0/s1600/child+rocker+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7q0FlJJH5YM/UkeqYQGNdjI/AAAAAAAAAcA/C8I34tiUq_0/s400/child+rocker+collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This rocking chair was one of the easier projects! My younger siblings grew up sitting in this chair to watch TV or movies, and so my step-mom gave it to me for Jase to sit in and do the same. It holds so many memories, I knew it just needed a little clean-up and restoration and it would be good as new!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's the before:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-33X82C_UkFY/Ukeqgn-sZhI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Il6QYqJkp7w/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-33X82C_UkFY/Ukeqgn-sZhI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Il6QYqJkp7w/s400/035.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A friend of mine did the first coat of DIY chalk paint, and I did the next one. After the second coat, I distressed and waxed. Lastly, I glazed where the details of the rabbit and bear were in the back of the seat to help make them pop a bit, and spray painted the seat with a brown I had lying around in my paint cabinet.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like the way it turned out, but boy this distressing stuff makes me all distressed sometimes! It's so hard to see such a nicely painted piece all roughed up in random spots! But...once you step away (gotta step away) for a bit, even take a break and come back to it, you begin to see with a fresh pair of eyes. :)</div><br />Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-40444092235332743492013-09-28T21:16:00.000-07:002013-09-28T21:16:11.488-07:00Children's Bench Photography Prop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqszhM9fE-c/Uken76RdZqI/AAAAAAAAAbk/ZKYhPCJMZOY/s1600/aIMG_7717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqszhM9fE-c/Uken76RdZqI/AAAAAAAAAbk/ZKYhPCJMZOY/s400/aIMG_7717.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This children's bench was my 2nd project with DIY Chalk paint.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's the before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UyqUBMWRF_s/Uken_L_e27I/AAAAAAAAAb0/xp6xDUcoD4o/s1600/1157732_319379521542021_1414958868_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UyqUBMWRF_s/Uken_L_e27I/AAAAAAAAAb0/xp6xDUcoD4o/s400/1157732_319379521542021_1414958868_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looks like an almost nice white shabby chic, but honestly, it was dingy and in need of some serious love and refinishing. My idea was to turn it into a photography prop. I pictured a little baby for their monthly photos sleeping on the bench, sitting on it, or standing next to it.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DU2Ovb6oas/Uken6mnQ12I/AAAAAAAAAbY/-IvD7NpA5RY/s1600/aIMG_7724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DU2Ovb6oas/Uken6mnQ12I/AAAAAAAAAbY/-IvD7NpA5RY/s400/aIMG_7724.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I loved what we did with my son's toy box with the trim on the front, so I wanted to do that again (thanks hubby!) and add a chalk board to write stats on, or for a child to color or draw.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whavqEYw2DQ/Uken88VTl2I/AAAAAAAAAbs/glPyHdOggFU/s1600/aIMG_7727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whavqEYw2DQ/Uken88VTl2I/AAAAAAAAAbs/glPyHdOggFU/s400/aIMG_7727.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next I distressed and waxed with clear wax, followed by DIY glaze instead of dark wax this time. I really liked how I could work with the glaze for a longer period of time and how easy it was to apply, but again - still a learning curve.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A7xqIv3za8M/Uken6pqpOjI/AAAAAAAAAbU/2ifFCSb8gOI/s1600/aIMG_7726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A7xqIv3za8M/Uken6pqpOjI/AAAAAAAAAbU/2ifFCSb8gOI/s400/aIMG_7726.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So once it was finished we sold it for almost $50! In retrospect, we may of been able to ask for more...but I'm pretty new to figuring out how to price these things.&nbsp;</div><br /><br /><br />Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-9883435792970163552013-09-28T21:06:00.004-07:002013-09-28T21:06:59.726-07:00Vintage Reclaimed Window turned Coffee Table<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9utqEfp31Gk/UkelQ058TwI/AAAAAAAAAao/Xei7puYfkYA/s1600/aIMG_7675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9utqEfp31Gk/UkelQ058TwI/AAAAAAAAAao/Xei7puYfkYA/s400/aIMG_7675.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My husband is so amazing, no truly, he is.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I bought these windows off of craigslist - $3 a piece.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vW1YBGaoREQ/UkelcCLaeFI/AAAAAAAAAbA/6iFSMzkSENc/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vW1YBGaoREQ/UkelcCLaeFI/AAAAAAAAAbA/6iFSMzkSENc/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And because Pinterest and Etsy are amazing for inspiration, I found the idea of turning an old window into a coffee table and knew we HAD to try it! I had the old window, AJ had the skills to build the coffee table, and I knew I wanted to try my hand at refinishing.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jaLlXJkWNII/UkelZ5gAE8I/AAAAAAAAAaw/1JnmAhiLn1A/s1600/aIMG_7676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jaLlXJkWNII/UkelZ5gAE8I/AAAAAAAAAaw/1JnmAhiLn1A/s400/aIMG_7676.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I kept hearing all this stuff about chalk paint - so I figured it was time to try it. Thing was - the $$ wasn't exactly there to purchase the expensive stuff, and honestly, I didn't see the point at the time because I knew I could make it. So I made the country red color using unsanded grout, water, and latex paint, and covered the entire surface of the table, inside and out, with the red.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pr0ULGODI1E/UkelaAlfR9I/AAAAAAAAAa0/xgGzLw4hVRE/s1600/aIMG_7683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pr0ULGODI1E/UkelaAlfR9I/AAAAAAAAAa0/xgGzLw4hVRE/s400/aIMG_7683.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I painted the outside of the table with a paint and primer in one, a creamy white, and distressed it (this was soooo hard to do for someone like me, a perfectionist!). Once distressed, the beautiful country red undertones really started to pop on through.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6a91aJWNdQk/UkelcbskXYI/AAAAAAAAAbE/zHnxkt3MJqM/s1600/aIMG_7697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6a91aJWNdQk/UkelcbskXYI/AAAAAAAAAbE/zHnxkt3MJqM/s400/aIMG_7697.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We threw on some beautiful hinges, the handles, waxed her with clear wax, and then finished with a DIY dark wax to really age and antique the piece. What a difficult task!! It was hard to do the dark wax, but it really made the trim contrast nice next to the white.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We sold this piece for $250 in less than 24 hours! And, we found a hobby that my husband and I both enjoy doing! Win win if you ask me!&nbsp;</div><br /><br />Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-75127122113119678782013-09-28T20:52:00.003-07:002013-09-28T20:53:23.801-07:00My First Flea Market Flip! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6YN1iYimBn4/UkeiI2AQPGI/AAAAAAAAAaU/PoforZWYSyY/s1600/IMG_7148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6YN1iYimBn4/UkeiI2AQPGI/AAAAAAAAAaU/PoforZWYSyY/s400/IMG_7148.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />This was my first ever flea market flip!<br /><br />Check out the before:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7mCXZbwJZq8/UkeiVXJLwrI/AAAAAAAAAac/gBAMaVECQ4s/s1600/1005646_295902663889707_2100371528_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7mCXZbwJZq8/UkeiVXJLwrI/AAAAAAAAAac/gBAMaVECQ4s/s400/1005646_295902663889707_2100371528_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I got this chest from a local barn (sort of flea market-y place) for $15 - talked down from $20. I had a vision in mind of what I wanted to do with it and set out on getting it done!<br /><br />I'm so thankful for such a handy husband! Hubby has always been into woodworking, so I knew that I wanted something for Jase that would be kind of "like father, like son" and do a toy chest that would be unique and practical to fit that goal. So AJ did some trim around a cork/peg board where we hung the toy tools, and we painted with a high gloss paint. For the seat cover, since I can't sew a lick, I micro-managed (haha!) my grandmother, while faithfully cheering her on...as she sewed me up the perfect seat cushion cover with tools and a peg board on it to match the toy box.<br /><br />It came out fabulous and I couldn't be any more pleased! Thanks to my husband, Mother-in-law, and grandmother for all of their help in getting done my first flea market flip!Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-66333716790921112642013-09-24T19:12:00.002-07:002013-09-24T19:12:44.086-07:00DIY Chalk Paint vs. Annie Sloan Chalk PaintChalk paint is all the rage right now.<br /><br /><b>No sanding, no priming</b>...count me in!<br /><br />Only thing is, the price is booku $$$$$.<br /><br /><b><i>So what's the deal - do you really need to buy the expensive Annie Sloan paint? Or can you make your own with the same results? </i></b><br /><br />Let's look at the pros and cons of each.<br /><br /><b><u>DIY Chalk Paint:</u></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iunq-8j6mJg/UkJCx26G74I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/eIz3PpFeuYo/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iunq-8j6mJg/UkJCx26G74I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/eIz3PpFeuYo/s320/Untitled.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b>Pros:</b><br /><br /><ul><li>A fraction of the price of AS Chalk Paint</li><li>Large number of color choices</li><li>The finish often 'looks' the same</li><li>Low odor</li><li>A little goes along way</li></ul><div><b>Cons:</b></div><div><ul><li>It has a gritty texture, not just chalky, but gritty</li><li>Sanding can flake bits of grit and paint off in an unflattering way</li><li>Sanding is toxic with the unsanded grout</li><li>Fibers of the lint-free cloth get stuck in the wax because of the grit, this will sometimes leave a 'fuzzy' finish</li><li>More work to prepare and mix</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><b><u>Annie Sloan Chalk Paint:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VSL9-RuMt6M/UkJGIbnElhI/AAAAAAAAAaE/PgmlePP6fwI/s1600/annie-sloan-chalk-paint-cans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VSL9-RuMt6M/UkJGIbnElhI/AAAAAAAAAaE/PgmlePP6fwI/s320/annie-sloan-chalk-paint-cans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></u></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pros:</b></div><div><ul><li>Super smooth finish once waxed</li><li>Low odor</li><li>No work - already mixed and prepared</li><li>A little goes a long way</li></ul><div><b>Cons:</b></div></div><div><ul><li>$$$ - it's not cheap at about $35 a quart!&nbsp;</li><li>Limited color choices (though mixing colors does open up other options)</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div>Personally, I didn't want to like Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I tried and tried to make it work with the DIY recipe, trying to figure out how to get rid of the gritty finish and not have problems with the fibers getting stuck in the wax. I sifted the grout, mixed with water prior, sanded, did everything to avoid this dilemma. But finally I gave in, I splurged, and I tried the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. And honestly? I'm not sure I can go back.<b> I am SOLD on this stuff! </b>The finish is beautiful, the smoothness (<i>I have texture issues, lol</i>), and the fact that there is no work required makes it that much more appealing to me.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>But, if money is an issue, try the DIY recipe and decide for yourself. Just a quick note - do NOT get a paint &amp; primer mix, and try to avoid Valspar paint. Both of these thicken in clumps very quickly, and even adding water doesn't quite do the trick all the time. And a quick FYI - if you get the sample sizes of paint at Home Depot, they are all pre-mixed with primer (even though it doesn't say it), so you either have to get a bigger size, or try somewhere else. At least that's what they do at my local Home Depot, so make sure you ask at your own.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What do you think? Have you tried any DIY recipes that you like, or are you an AS fan?</b></div>Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-79100247868153680562013-09-24T18:43:00.001-07:002013-09-24T18:45:36.847-07:00Johnson's Wax vs. Minwax vs. Annie Sloan Wax <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>With so many options, which do you choose?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L5xctZ_uLkE/UkHpyWITuGI/AAAAAAAAAZc/xw_pnZl34NU/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L5xctZ_uLkE/UkHpyWITuGI/AAAAAAAAAZc/xw_pnZl34NU/s320/033.JPG" width="320" /></a>&nbsp;When dealing with Chalk Paint, <i>waxing is the bear</i> everyone is talking about. And believe me, what a bear it is!! But this post is not about 'how' to wax, but the pros and cons between three of the more common waxes used: <b>Johnson's Paste Wax, Minwax,</b> and <b>Annie Sloan Wax</b> (<i>thanks to my grandmother for letting me have some of hers!</i>).</div><br /><br /><b>So lets' look at the Pros and Cons of each.</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Johnson's Paste Wax:</u></b></div><br /><b>Pros:</b><br /><br /><ul><li>Inexpensive at around just $5 a can at Lowes or Home Depot in the flooring section</li><li>Same finish as the Annie Sloan Wax</li><li>fairly soft</li><li>Quick drying</li></ul><div><b>Cons:</b></div><div><ul><li>Smell - harsh fumes</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Minwax Paste Finishing Wax:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pros:</b></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1plxt2sZp_0/UkHrMouxNII/AAAAAAAAAZo/zVZyhGCVnvw/s1600/minwax_paste_wax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1plxt2sZp_0/UkHrMouxNII/AAAAAAAAAZo/zVZyhGCVnvw/s200/minwax_paste_wax.jpg" width="200" /></a><ul><li>Somewhat inexpensive at Lowes or Home Depot at around $10 a can</li><li>Appears to be the same finish&nbsp;</li><li>Quick drying</li></ul><b>Cons:</b></div><div><ul><li>Smell</li><li>Can yellow furniture over time, especially lighter colored pieces</li><li>Harder consistency</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Annie Sloan Wax:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pros:</b></div><div><ul><li>Butter like consistency - very smooth</li><li>Same finish as the others</li><li>Low odor (though still some odor, so ventilation and mask is still recommended)</li></ul><div><b>Cons:</b></div></div><div><ul><li>$$$ At about $25 a can!</li><li>Drying time is recommended to wait 24 hours</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div>Overall, they all do a good job at protecting your finish and working well with the chalk paint. While I love Annie Sloan wax, the price of Johnson's paste wax is hard to contend with. When you're on a budget, Johnson's is great, but Annie Sloan is definitely a first in my book if you can afford the cost. The butter-like consistency and low odor is pretty great!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Now...if only the learning curve in using it weren't so steep!</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>What's your experience with wax?</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-83493336584491390042013-08-22T08:21:00.004-07:002013-08-22T08:21:42.515-07:00How do you Trust God?This question has been boggling my mind for some time now.<br /><br />Since my <a href="http://liftandfocus.blogspot.com/2013/08/30-day-challenge.html" target="_blank">30 day challenge</a>, God has really been working in my heart and teaching me what it means to trust him. Everything I have read always says to 'just trust him,' and of course I want to! But the question I continue to have is, how? How do you actually do that? <u>How do you trust God?</u> Because just saying the words and attempting to will my heart to 'feel' that way, doesn't seem to work!<br /><br />I am currently reading "Trusting God" by Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith, and Mary Southerland. Between this book, prayer, and God's word, I believe I'm starting to actually 'get' how to go about trusting him.<br /><br />You know when you are going through a tough time, you almost get tunnel vision? It's as if all you can think about is what you are going through, the what-ifs, the worries, anxieties, heartbreak. It almost seems impossible to think about much else because you are so consumed by these trials in your life.<br /><br />For me, my current 'trial' has been with my son. He has so many food allergies and intolerances that mean hidden (occult) blood in his stools and a rein on my diet while I continue nursing him. It has been tough! There are days I am so discouraged, wondering why God won't heal my baby, wondering why we are going through this, praying for healing, wisdom, and strength. I seem to do well (lately) with trusting God with the little things. But the big things? Like the healing of my son? That is an area I have trouble with.<br /><br /><i>So how do you actually trust God?&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><u>Here is what I have learned:</u><br /><br />1. <b>Think on God's goodness </b>- REMEMBER ways he has moved and been faithful in the past - this is why it's so important to write these things down!<br />2. <b>Reading and meditating on scripture</b><br />3. <b>Prayer</b> - I recommend journaling some of your prayers<br />4. <b>Worship music</b> - fill yourself up with words and praise music that point to him<br /><br />Basically in a nutshell:<br /><br /><b>FOCUS ON HIM.&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><u>Lift your eyes from your situation, and put your focus on Jesus</u> by doing some of those things listed above.<br /><br /><i>God is so much bigger than your situation and your circumstances.</i> He is a big, powerful, God. And he can change things in an instant if it's in his will to do so. But sometimes, he allows us to go through things for a reason. We may not always know or understand what that reason could possibly be, but he always has a reason and he knows what's best for us.<br /><br />It's like when you have children. In the book Trusting God, there is a chapter I read today that talked about a little boy who had a terrible case of the flu. He was crying out to his mother, pleading through tears, for her to save him, to not let the doctors hurt him, as they strapped him down to inject him with IV's. The mother was crying, her son was crying, and she tried to tell him that they weren't hurting him, that they were helping him to get better.<br /><br /><i>God feels our pain with us</i>. When we hurt, he hurts. But he knows what's best, just like the mother knew that the doctors were helping her son and those fluids were what was best for him at that time. The journey to get well was littered with pain, but in the end it all came together. We can't always see the whole picture, like the boy who couldn't understand why he was going through what he was. But God can. He sees the end result. He is good. He is faithful.<br /><br /><i>"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11</i><br /><br />I have to make the decision to trust God with my son's health. I'm an organizer, teacher by nature, and so I prefer 'steps' to get to my acquired goal. By doing those 4 steps, I have seen my trust in God grow over this past month. I am learning to trust him in more areas of my life, and he is working on me with this bigger issue - the healing of my son. Even if he chooses not to heal him, God is still good and I will trust him no matter the path he decides to take us on. <br /><br /><i><span class="text Isa-55-8" id="en-NIV-18749">“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-8">neither are your ways my ways,”</span></span><span class="right"><span class="text Isa-55-8"> declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span></span><span class="text Isa-55-9" id="en-NIV-18750"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>“As the heavens are higher than the earth,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-55-9">so are my ways higher than your ways</span></span></i><span class="indent-1"><i><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></i><span class="text Isa-55-9"><i>and my thoughts than your thoughts." ~Isaiah 55:8-9</i></span></span><br /><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-55-9"><b>What areas in your life are you having difficulty trusting God? What can you do today that will help you to make that decision?</b><i> </i></span></span>Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804976257868740682.post-46468316951250392952013-08-21T14:42:00.003-07:002013-08-22T08:21:55.890-07:0030 Day Challenge<b>Discipline.</b><br /><br />I hate that word.<br /><br />Discipline, to me, means being punished for doing something wrong. Sometimes it means forcing myself to do something on a regular basis that I don't like, such as working out or avoiding chocolate (silly, I know!). To put it frank, it makes me cringe. I <i>hate</i> the word discipline.<br /><br />But it's <u>necessary</u> in our walk with God.<br /><br /><i>Except this discipline reaps sweet rewards</i>. It has grown my relationship with Christ, taught me how to trust, allowed God to work in my life, blessed me, gave me words of knowledge, excited me to do it over, and over, and over again. Want to know what I did different?<br /><br />I spent time <b><u><i>daily</i></u></b> with the Lord, for 30 days.<br /><br />I took the 30 day challenge.<br /><br />And it was hard at first. I had a million and one other things I needed (and let's be honest, preferred) to do. I have a 7 month old child that demands constant attention. A husband that comes home demanding constant attention (not much changes as they get older, does it?). Dishes, laundry, cleaning, nurturing, teaching, growing, comforting, singing, listening, managing, organizing, cooking....things that only a mother and wife can truly appreciate. And me, when is there time for just '<u>me</u>' time? Time for me to just 'check-out' for a little while?<br /><br />To say it was tough is an understatement. It took effort to put my focus on Jesus during our quiet time, instead of all those other things that called my name. Most every day for 30 days (I did miss a day here and there, I am human afterall!), I devoted my son's morning nap to my quiet time with God. I read one chapter in the bible, one chapter in my devotional book, and I journaled out my prayer and anything that stuck out to me during my reading. I did this over the span of 30 days <i>and I watched how God worked</i>.<br /><br />For the first 15 days, I was getting into the swing of things. I journaled, poured my heart out to God, my fears, anxieties, my loves, my gratitude, my pleas. Nothing monumental happened other than it began to become a habit of mine to meet him in this spot each day. <i>Then, things changed</i>.<br /><br /><b>God moments.</b><br /><br />That's what I like to call them. God moments, or little blessings, answered prayers, times that I know without a doubt that it's God moving and not me. When things are clearly the Lord's work and the glory could only be his.<br /><br /><u>Nine</u> to be exact.<br /><br />In 30 days, NINE amazing God moments. And each time one happened, it was like an amazing high and joy. It was like the pieces of the puzzle that were initially scattered, were somehow put together and it would all make sense. <br /><br />So I want to share some of these moments. Some are private and not meant to be put in detail here, but others I want to shout from the rooftops!<br /><br />1. <b>Be Still and Rest</b>. One day when I was doing my devotions and telling God about how I knew I needed to sleep train my son, but I didn't want to do the Cry It Out method (I was exhausted, to say the least), and I was praying about my son's food allergy and intolerance problems - I felt the Lord was telling me to be still, to stop doing what I was doing, and to rest in him. To stop sleep training (I had done this for his nap before my quiet time that day), and to stop trying to figure it all out with his allergies. At first, I thought that was crazy - why would I stop sleep training? I thought I had to partner with God with everything, why would he ask me to be still? I was tired and needed rest, as in sleep! But I stepped out in faith, hoping with everything in me that I really did hear God and it wasn't my mind playing tricks on me. Several days later, it all made sense when my son woke up with little tooth bubbles indicating he was getting ready to cut teeth. The Lord knew that he would need the extra comfort in the night, that I shouldn't ignore his cries or refuse holding him, but to continue giving him the comfort he needed. And miraculously, that weekend that I stepped out in faith, he ironically gave me 2 good nights with longer stretches of sleep (can I get an Amen?!). The Lord knew what my son needed before he even needed it. God is so good.<br /><br />2. <b>We need a hobby</b>. I prayed that my husband and I would find a hobby that we liked doing together, instead of just watching TV or taking a nap. God blessed us with allowing us to re-do a piece of furniture, actually 2 pieces, and we had fun doing it! My husband used his many woodworking talents, and I used my creative ideas and refinished the pieces. I'm excited to see how this new hobby plays out and hope that it turns into something more over time.<br /><br />3. <b>I lost my wallet</b>. It flew off the back of my trunk (thanks to a screaming child distracting me!), and my mom and I prayed that it would be returned. I did not have fear or anxiety, even though I had over $100 in gift cards, a little cash, my debit card, license, and a spare key to my car...written on the key what it was. I trusted God, no matter what happened, but prayed it would somehow be returned. On the day that I was planning on cancelling my card and begin the process of ordering new things, I was walking up to the mailbox and prayed that by some miracle the wallet would be in there. Well when I opened the box, there was a package, with my wallet in it! There was a very sweet note from a woman that had lost her purse before and knew what it felt like, and so she paid the postage to return my wallet to me. Everything was returned intact - praise God!<br /><br />4. <b>God gave me a word of wisdom</b> concerning someone else's dream that it actually gave me chills when I said it aloud because both myself and the person who had the dream knew it was completely God.<br /><br />5. <b>God gave me a word of wisdom</b> about someone else in my own dream.<br /><br />6. For two days I journaled and <b>prayed to find this christian trilogy set of books</b> on the cheap for my sister (Mark of the Lion Trilogy by Francine Rivers - check it out if you haven't read it!). To buy all 3 books used on Amazon cost about $16, which I knew I couldn't spend on books at the time. So I prayed about it. On the 3rd day someone tagged me in a post on an online yardsale site on FB about one of her books, the 3rd book in the trilogy! When I told her what an answer to prayer that was, she told me that when she found it that day that she felt that she needed to offer it to me! Then, a few days later I was in goodwill and there was the 2nd book in the trilogy! The probability of that happening, with all the books in the world, is so so so slim - it's was totally a God moment. I'm still waiting on the first book in the trilogy, but I know God will come through and provide that also - he's done the other two already!<br /><br />7. <b>A friend of mine got pregnant</b>. After months of prayer, she conceived this little life. The details surrounding it are nothing short of amazing, but, for the sake of privacy, I cannot get into those details. Let's just say it was so perfectly timed and planned, the Lord knew the absolute perfect timing for this to come about.<br /><br />8. There were a few surrounding <b>my husband and his work</b>, but more private. But those were also awesome blessings.<br /><br /><b>So what did I learn?</b><br /><br /><i>Discipline.</i><br /><br />I learned to discipline myself in spending time with the Lord daily. I reaped so many rewards and I look forward to my time with Him now, where before I would dread it, or worse, be worried that I would be bored to death when reading the bible. <i>But he has lit a fire in me again</i>, and he has blessed my time with him. I have learned that I need to write things down, <i>that I need to remember</i>. I need to remember ways he has been faithful, when he's provided, when he's blessed me. I need to remember it and allow those times to strengthen my faith and trust in him. I am learning to trust him more and more. It's a struggle sometimes, but it is always worth it.<br /><br />Discipline isn't such a horrible word anymore. Like any discipline, it's not always easy at first, but it's always worth it in the end. When you work out, you have muscles and health to show for it. When you eat right, your body shows it with clearer skin, healthier hair, a better immune system to fight sickness. When you discipline yourself to spend time with God daily, your spiritual life grows, your relationship with God grows, you see his blessings, you are able to trust him...and with all of that comes more joy, and so much more peace in a world harried with unrest.<br /><br />A little discipline in making God a priority really goes a long way.<br /><br /><b>What about you? Are you disciplined in making God a priority every day in your life?</b> If not, I challenge you. Take the 30 day challenge of spending time with God in his word, praying and journaling. I can assure you, he won't let you down.<br /><br /><i><span class="text Matt-7-7"><span class="woj">“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.</span></span></i><span class="text Matt-7-8" id="en-NIV-23325"><span class="woj"><i><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." ~Matthew 7:7-8</i></span></span>Tina http://www.blogger.com/profile/18272630116453716616noreply@blogger.com0